September 2, 200322 yr Hi kwiz 117, Please check your facts first before you make wild and sweeping statements about border passes among bordering countries. For your info, the border pass agreement between Malaysia and Thailand has been going on for more than 50 years. This border pass is only meant for those who are staying near the border states/towns. The distance allowed is about 100 km, more or less near the border. They are allowed to stay in for the maximun of 7 days. I repeat only seven days stay. They have to do a visa run every seven days. Border pass valid only for six months. So you see, this is no big deal. ???
September 2, 200322 yr A newspaper report that I read gave me the impression that free movement within Thailand / Malaysia/Singapore for the nationals of those countries was being investigated by the respective Governments. The Increase of Visa Fees will not affect the majority of True Tourists to Thailand who enter on a free Visa on Arrival. Roger
September 3, 200322 yr Hi kwiz 117, Good to hear from you. Glad to answer your inquiries. I will answer you one by one: 1. The Malaysian border pass is being issued by the Malaysian Immigration Department to Malaysian citizens only who are staying in border states. 2. The Malaysian authorities (on line computers) will have all records on its citizens. 3. If he is caught by the Thai authorities (beyond the 100 km distance), he will be considered as illegal entry.... will be arrested and face charges in Thailand. This is the risk the border pass holder has to take. 4. This has nothing to do with terrorists or casino players. As I have said the border pass is to allow them to visit nearby towns, or villages. Both countries have close relatives and other historical connections across the common borders. This border pass has been going on for more than fifty years. Hi Roger, Not true, the free movement is actually being encouraged, on condition that their documents are in proper order. There are a few cases.... driving in without declaring at the customs check points, or not having bought a Thai (Third Party) motor vehicle insurance. Every day thousands of Malaysian and Singaporean motor vehicles drive into Los. " Mai mee pan haa ! ". ???
September 3, 200322 yr Hi Roger,Not true, the free movement is actually being encouraged, on condition that their documents are in proper order. Hi Fox, Yes - sorry - I just re-read my post - it is ambiguous ... I had the impression that they were investigating allowing free movement of all nationals within the 3 countries. Something like all European Nationals have free movement within Europe. Or have I been dreaming? I thought I read it in Bangkok Post ... Roger
September 4, 200322 yr Hi Roger, You are right on this issue. It was reported in the press that the three Asean countries should follow the European nationals of having free movement within the three nations. So far there is no news or response from the Malaysian side. I will keep you posted when there is any news from the Malaysia side. :cool:
September 4, 200322 yr Hi mates, Just to join in to add more info on border pass. The most popular border town, Hatyai..... Thailand's third city. During weekends or holidays, a few thousand tourists from Malaysia will cross over, with border pass or passport. Passport holders given 30 days visa and border pass holders given only 7 days. Passport holders can go anywhere and beyond. Border pass holders can only visit border towns like Hatyai; Songkhla; Santun; Betong; Sungai Golok; Tak Bai; Sadao and other nearby villages. The fun city is Hatyai and the 7 days visa is just perfect for a short break. Some forty years ago, Hatyai was just a village town with muddy roads. It was the tourism industry that built up Hatyai to be Thailand' third city. Without the tourists from Malaysia and Singapore, Hatyai will be a ghost town today. ???
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